Personality disorders after age 50: A meta-analysis

A meta-analytic approach was used to review the literature for trends concerning the frequency and distribution of personality disorder symptomatology in older adults, and to consider implications for future investigation. Eleven articles published from 1980 through 1994 met the study criteria: (1) Personality disorder diagnoses based upon DSM-III or DSM-III-R criteria; (2) original data reported in the study; (3) sufficient information reported so that meta-analytic procedures could be followed; (4) a focus upon older adults (age 50 and above) by the study or a clearly measurable older group within the study; and (5) assessment of personality disorders that included the full spectrum of disorders. Overall, the prevalence of personality disorders in this age group was 10%. The frequency of personality disorders in the individual studies included in the analysis ranged from 6% in a sample of geriatric patients treated for depression to 33% in a separate sample of recovered elderly depressives. Emerging most clearly was the need for well-designed studies to develop a statistically robust sample for further analysis.